Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Von der Leyen wants Bulgaria, Romania in Schengen "witout further delay"

Photo: EPA/BGNES / Photo: ЕПА/БГНЕС

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged EU countries to immediately accept Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen area in her annual State of the Union address. "They have proved it: Bulgaria and Romania are part of our Schengen area. So let us finally bring them in – without any further delay," she insisted before the MEPs in Strasbourg. She thanked the two countries for their leading role in implementing best practices in the field of asylum and return.

"We have been waiting for this call from Ursula von der Leyen. We all expect member states to comply with it," Bulgarian Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel commented from Strasbourg. "As far as the Netherlands is concerned, the European Commission's request was a decisive step. Bulgaria must show the Netherlands a long-term commitment to the rule of law. I believe that with the work of the government and parliament over the last three months, Bulgaria has made a clear commitment that we can rely on. Austria is not opposed to the accession of Bulgaria and Romania," Gabriel added.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Every third Bulgarian is ready to defend democracy, every fifth the homeland: survey

Democracy is consistently perceived by a solid majority in Bulgarian society as the best form of governance. Approximately 1.5 million citizens declare their willingness to risk their personal security to protect it, according to a representative study..

published on 11/6/25 11:53 AM

Bulgaria's second-largest trade union "Podkrepa" opposes draft Budget 2026

The Confederation of Labor "Podkrepa" does not support the government's proposed state budget for 2026 , the union announced.  As reasons, the second most important trade union in the country points out "the lack of policies and reforms to address..

published on 11/6/25 10:35 AM

Mysterious Russian ship sails near Black Sea coast

The phantom ship VIVA 962 has changed at least 10 names and many owners before it surprisingly appeared near Cape Emine on November 1. The crew consists of a captain and a mechanic with Ukrainian passports from Kharkov, reports the "24 Chasa" portal...

published on 11/6/25 10:12 AM